Setem Ku (24th Apr 2011)

Kraftangan / Handicraft

Wood carving, a traditional Malaysia handicraft is one of the classical Malaysian art that is still growing. 

Bunga Raya

Bunga Raya, commonly known as hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and can be found in abundance throughout the country. 

Wau Bulan

Wau Bulan is a famous traditional kite, richly decorated with colourful patterns of flowers and leaves. 

Durian

Durian, known for its unique aroma and thorn-covered husk is a favourite among the locals. 

Rempah Ratus | Spices (28th Mar 2011)

The use of spices existed since as early as 7,000 years ago. Traders from India, influenced by the Portuguese and other sailors, brought with them a variety of spices to South East Asia including Malaysia Spices come in many forms, including as leaves, seeds, berries, roots and nuts and are used mainly as a flavoring agent. Today no meal would be considered complete without the addition of at least pepper.

In Malaysian cuisine, spices are almost essential ingredients that provide additional aroma and flavor to each dish. Many of these spices, including turmeric, which is often used in Malay and Indian cuisine, also possesses medicinal properties and have been used as such for generations.

Malay cooking today utilizes a wide variety of spices and ingredients, the most popular of which include the ‘rempah empat beradik’, loosely translated as the ‘four spices siblings’ essential to Malay cooking. These are the star anise, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. The actual combinations and quantities of ingredients used are varied according to their meat, fish, or seafood or other dishes. Other common spices used in Malay cooking include fresh and dried chilies, ginger, onions, shallots and garlic.

Spices are used more sparingly for Chinese cooking. Five-spice powder, a mixture of five spices namely star anise, cloves, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, and fennel seed, and encompassing all five flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and salty is popular in Chinese cooking mainly for seasoning meat and also for frying vegetables.

Spices play a major role in Indian cooking. Indian cuisine is best known for its wide and liberal use of spices and this could include up to a dozen for a single dish. Spices such as cumin and coriander seeds are used in many spice mixtures, curries, vegetable dishes and pickles. Cinnamon adds a sweet and mellow flavor while cloves provide a strong, pungent and sweet aroma and is used in many meat dishes, marinades, pickles and ‘garam masalas’. Dishes often vary depending on the quantity or combination of spices used resulting in similarly named dishes seldom tasting the same.

Other Malaysian communities have also developed a taste for and use a variety of spices in their daily cooking. However, most of these spices are used in dishes today enjoyed by all Malaysians regardless of their cultural backgrounds.

The 60sen stamp feature Cinnamon; cinnamomum zeylanicum. The bark of the tree which is stripped off and dried and is used n variety of ways including in smaller pieces in curries or ground up in pastries, cakes and desserts.

The 90sen stamp feature Star Anise; illicium verum. A small fruit originating from China and has a taste similar to that of liquorice.

The RM1 stamp feature Cardamom; elettaria cardomomum. These seeds are used in the cooking of a variety or aromatic rice dishes such as ‘berianis’ as well as in curries and more. Cardamom is often added to hot milk tea to create ‘masala tea’, a fragrant concoction best enjoyed after meals

The miniature sheet features an assortment of spices including fennel seed, star anise, candlenut, fresh turmeric root, dried chilly, coriander and cinnamon laid out on a ‘batu giling’ or traditional grindstone.



Flora Tanah Tinggi Malaysia (Siri II) : Highland Flowers of Malaysia (Series II) (9th Oct 2000)

Rhododendrons are woody plants with showy flowers and attractive foliage. As ornamental plants, they are treasured for their flowers which come in all hues and colors of the rainbow. The flowers vary greatly in size – from tiny thimbles to trumpets-like ones that measure up to 20 cm long. The trees, too, vary in size – from dwarf shrubs to 4-storey tall giants.

There are 900 species of the genus and a majority of them are found in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Himalayan Regions of Nepal, South China and North India. No species have so far been found in Africa or South America. In Australia, only one species has been recorded so far.

Rhododendrons found in the tropics belong to the category vireya. There are about 300 species of these in South East Asia. Half of them, approximately 150 species can be found in the higher mountains and hills of New Guinea. Borneo has about 50 species, and 35 of them can be found in Sabah – 25 of which are found on the slopes of Mt Kinabalu alone. Sabah can also lay claim to having 12 species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The species found in South East Asia are characterized with having ‘scales’, mainly on their leaves. Similar ‘scales’ can also be found on other parts of the plants such as the stem, calyx, pedicels, ovary, style and the outside of the corolla. Besides being helpful in the identification of the species, the scales also act as shields to protect the young developing leaves from the harsh radiation of the sun.

Rhododendrons are propagated from seeds, cutting or layering. Most vireya rhododendrons have long tailed seeds which help them to go great distances when carried by the wind. Vireya Rhododendrons grow well in areas with high atmospheric moisture and in acidic and peaty soils.

Most Malaysian Rhododendrons are mountain plants. Though many of them are epiphytes – living on other trees – a few can be found on rocky grounds on steep ridges.

Of the species featured four are native to Peninsular Malaysia, namely Rhododendron Malaya-num, Rhododendron jasmine-florum, Rhododendron scortechinii and Rhododendron pauciflorum. The rest are native to Sabah and Sarawak.

XXI IUFRO World Congress (7th Aug 2000)

The International Union of Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO) is the foremost international body in forest research. IUFRO is a voluntary, non-profit, non-governmental, international scientific body open to all organizations involve in forestry research and forestry science. IUFRO has promoted international coordination and cooperation in research and development on most aspects of forest science since its inception in 1882. 

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia are amongst member of IUFRO from Malaysia.

Tumbuhan Akuatik : Aquatic Plants (11th May 2002)

In Malaysia most of these aquatic flowering plants are found in ponds, ditches, lakes, dams, rivers, irrigation canals and wet paddy fields. Due to their rapid growth, ability to constantly regenerate and their tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions, some are considered weeds. 

More than 15 species of these plants are edible. Some species are harvested and used as animal fodder. Paddy farmers increase their crop by using plants as green manure in their fields. 

Some have medicinal value, while certain species are used as ornaments and source if oxygen in fish tanks and aquariums. Some are cultivated as ornaments in ponds while others are used to make handicrafts.

Recently, efforts have been made to rediscover the usefulness of these plants. In the past, there plants were also depicted as motifs in ancient architecture, art, woodwork as well as on fabrics and tapestries. 

These days most of the species, which require clean water to flourish are being rediscovered for other beneficial uses. They are being preserved and utilized as food for other aquatic life, grown as ornamental and aquarium plants for the horticulture and landscaping business as well as raw materials foe the cottage industry.

Persidangan Anggerik Sedunia Ke-17 : 17th World Orchid Conference Malaysia 2002 ( 24th Apr 2002)



Orchid enthusiasts worldwide will converge in Malaysia for the 17th World Orchid Conference, scheduled for April 24 - May 2, 2002 at the Malaysian International Exhibition & Convention Center, Shah Alam.

Established experts, scientists and well-known orchid growers will be invited to share their knowledge and expertise. Renowned orchid scientists will delve with specific areas, giving orchid enthusiasts an exclusive insight into the science of orchids as well as giving them the opportunity to interact with these prominent orchid experts.

The conference is also an opportune time for orchid scientists worldwide to meet and discuss their specific research and some of these researchers will be called upon to present their latest findings.

The conference will satisfy the needs of every type of orchid enthusiasts.

Bunga Nadir : Rare Flowers (5th Feb 2002)

Schima Brevifolia
This beautiful, small (5m.) tree is a common on Kinabalu from 2,500 to 3,000 m. above sea level. The rather similar S. wallichii (Madang Changkoh) grows on hills in the Peninsula, especially Penang Hills, and us distinguished by its smaller flowers and larger leaves. It is a moderate-sized tree.

Couroupita Guianensis Aubl.The genus name Couroupita comes from the South American name for this plant couroupitoutoumou. The species name guianensis comes from the Guianas, refering to place of origin of the botanical specimen used as reference to name this plant.

Camellia Nitidissima
Large shrub requiring a warm, humid site in partial shade. The foliage had deeply indented veins which is quite different to most Camellias. The new growth is an attractive purple colour. Best suited to woodland conditions. The soil must be well-drained soil and remain constantly damp. It producec the only yellow flowers known in the genus. In time, hybridisers are hoping to develop a new range of colours to include yellow, orange, apricot and peach.